The event concludes with the assistance of more than 2,000 professionals

And this was how the Hotel Villaitana Wellness Golf & Business Resort in the coastal town became for two days, not a resort for golf players, as it is usual in this hotel, but in the scenario of a fair pool that exceeded forecasts of assistance and that happens to consolidate itself as an appointment reference for the sector with 136 exhibitors, with the 120 of 2009 (up 13%), and 1,600 customers, exceeding 400 at the previous meeting (30%).

Opening in charge of the councilman of tourism in Benidorm and responsible for BigMat. On the right, the character 'bigmat' accompanied attendees during the event.

Inaugurated in the hands of representatives of BigMat and Manuel Cabezuelos, Councillor for tourism in Benidorm and closed by Agustín Navarro, Mayor of the town on April 29, the pageant represents for the group a strategic action to promote and consolidate relations between partnerssuppliers and customers. This private fair building materials industry to join forces to tackle the current economic situation. The building materials sector brings together more than 5,000 companies of all Spain that employ some 500,000 workers.

"The second edition of BigMat Day had even better reception than the first." The formula we use to enable the sector to meet the current economic climate is to join forces. "Only United can boost the market and a meeting point as this is the ideal for sharing impressions and objectives, as well as to strengthen business relations", said Luis Perez, President of BigMat Spain.

Major customers took the opportunity to close operations in special conditions and experience firsthand the latest exhibitors presented at the fair, attend trade shows and product demonstrations and conferences of interest. Throughout the day could make orders to the sales teams of the BigMat establishments participating in the fair.

"We are very satisfied with the Prestige is becoming our contest, which came more than 90% of our partners with major customers." "We want that our suppliers will be wrapped by a leading brand and our partners to find the best opportunities to do business," says Jesús Prieto, general manager of BigMat.

"You have to look for synergies, which companies are grouped." This is one of the measures proposed by the representatives of BigMat to enable the sector to face the current situation. And it is that according to data provided by the Chairman of the group in reference to figures broadcast by Andimat, between 2007 and 2009 sales in the sector fell a generalized mean of 45%, while in BigMat 30% in the same period. Without a doubt, a significant fact and more taking into account that according to the forecasts of the same Association, in 2010 is expected a decline of 10% in the sector, which makes it imperative that firms join to deal with this situation and in many casessurvive.

Emphasizing the need to share synergies, Jesus Prieto, CEO of BigMat pointed out that as has been preparing BigMat to cope with the slowdown in the market, it will be the first group to emerge from the recession thanks to the change of organization that has developed. "During the past two years we have changed the management systems, which is necessary in times of crisis to improve the competitiveness of the entire group, and on the other hand, we have created the first logistics platform of the sector of the distribution of building materials that will make more competitive the BigMat group and its partners"He said.

And the associated establishment has five times more chances of staying in the market as an independent trader.

Six months ago partners have a logistics platform of 17,000 square meters in Castellón from where have many products in stock to distribute them instantly. A solution to make joint purchases which allows them to reduce the stock of material, which is a big advantage at a time of economic slowdown.

This new logistics platform will enable partners to meet the new needs of the sector. Currently it is vital to control the material just in time and shopping, for example, small to take them to the next day. "This platform is what we are trying to achieve." The partners are satisfied. "Adapt to the new market reform and the end consumer with this logistics platform help our partners succeed," noted Prieto.

New targets for 2010

The strategy for the coming months its emphasis on reinforcing the brand positioning as a reference in warehouses of materials for the recruitment and reform, a mercad with great growth prospects. In addition, it will affect the importance of loyalty with the launch of new logistic and financial services aimed at increasing the competitiveness and efficiency.

In 2009 it invoiced 507 million euros and expected to reach 530 million euros of turnover in 2010. The group currently has 149 partners and 260 points of sale. An "ambitious plan", according to Jesus Prieto, that is to get twenty new partners has been proposed for this year. And they have four new partners so far this year. In this way it aims to reach 600 million euros of turnover in 2011 and reach 4% market share.

On the other hand, Roberto Primo, Chief of the regional of Levante, stressed the need to give an image of confidence and optimism in times of crisis with reference to the holding of the contest. The regional head is composed of 29 associated, in the Valencia, Murcia and Albacete. "The sales do not diminish as they did in 2008 and 2009", he pointed out.

In this context and according to the director-general of BigMat, the great fall to the warehouses of construction has been on the Mediterranean coast, with the exception of major cities, while the depression has been much less pronounced in the Atlantic coast and in small towns in the interior of Spain, areas in which growth was not so good during the housing boom.

According to data provided during the press conference, BigMat outcomes relating to the first quarter of 2010 point to a decline in purchases of 5% versus the same period of 2009, "figure that we achacamos the months of January and February had a poor weather." On the other hand, in the month of March a rebound has appreciated and in April, at least we've stopped. I believe that the months of may, June and July will be good. We also hope that aid to the reform, approved in Cabinet the past day 23, help for the sector of construction materials to start to pick up. "The hardware store, which represented 17% of the store sales specialists in construction, is which has led to a further decline in our stores," noted Prieto.

BigMat stores are characterized by the diversification of product. While in his birth twelve years ago, its approach were bastos materials, have been gradually introduced new product ranges. "The hardware store, which represented 17% of the store sales specialists in construction, is which has led to a further decline in our stores," noted Prieto. Now they also have ranges of product of plumbing and the environment of the home which includes gardening and decorating. "We are moving in this line." This year we released a new brochure with a hundred products that we can compete with companies specialists in gardening. "Currently, the reformist sector needs we provide it all these products."

BigMat managers include the prestige and quality of the manufacturers who have attended the event where the main brands of all families of building materials have been represented: bastos, hardware, machinery and tools, health, flooring, exterior coverings, conditioningwork, covers and interior fittings.

Unlike franchise networks, BigMat has associated that come together to be strong and have a greater competitive advantage derived from the experience and expertise that provides each partner in the are of influence, each maintaining its own autonomy. This successful formula brings great benefits to the associated establishments including the signing of agreements with suppliers to obtain better prices, the development of a 'know-how' on the evolution of the sector in other areas of Spain and many other countriesaccess to specialized training and especially, the integration into a joint project to share goals, procedures, and values with an organization of international dimension.